iPhone sales slide down by 12% in China following Huawei Mate 70 debut

Apple iPhone sales are declining in the Chinese market and worsened after the Huawei Mate 70 series launch. The company is losing ground in one of its largest markets. Perhaps the Chinese rivals are a major threat to the U.S. tech giant.

Ming-Chi Kuo has published a detailed blog on Apple’s performance in 2024. The inputs also revealed what challenges the company could face in China this year.

The report says that iPhone sales are constantly declining in China, making conditions worse for Apple. Kuo says the OEM saw a drop of 10-12% YoY in iPhone shipments in the Chinese market, affecting the company’s share in the country.

A major reason is the lack of AI and innovation in newly launched models. iPhone 16 comes with a slight change in lens bump while others are the same.

Despite flagship components, the lineup didn’t receive much attention in the Chinese smartphone market. Meanwhile, the Huawei Mate 70 series become another challenge for Apple amid sliding iPhone sales. All four models are a complete package of AI, smart technology, creativity, next-level photography, and innovation.

Huawei Mate 70 Pro+ (Image Credits: Huawei)

“In December 2024, overall smartphone shipments in China were about flat, iPhone shipments dropped by about 10-12% YoY, reflecting a continued slide in Apple’s Chinese market share.” – says Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo further stated that analysts estimated iPhone shipments of 220 million units. The company is expected the same number of sales this year. But will it be able to achieve this mark amid growing challenges in China would be worth looking at.

Regarding 2025, Kuo mentioned that Apple will continue to witness downfall in China this year. The company is currently preparing two “thinnest” iPhone models (SE 4 and foldable) which will likely only support eSIM which China doesn’t promote.

iPhone 17 series may also go official in September 2025. Although Huawei is already in rumors to challenge these models with its power-pack Mate 80 handsets.

The first half of 2025 may show a decline of 6% YoY in iPhone sales despite the cost-effective iPhone SE 4 launch. What more hurdles the company will face this year will likely get clear in the coming days. Stay tuned.

iPhone sales slide down by 12% in China following Huawei Mate 70 debut (Image Credits: Apple)

[source]